New Delhi, 09 May 2025: A recent study published in The Lancet HIV has revealed a concerning trend: HIV diagnoses among individuals aged 50 and above are on the rise across Europe. Between 2004 and 2015, the rate of new HIV cases in this age group increased by approximately 2% annually. With older adults accounting for 17% of all new diagnoses by 2015. This marks a significant increase from 2004, when they represented just 10% of new cases.
While HIV is commonly linked to sexual transmission and often perceived as a disease affecting younger individuals. The report stresses that the virus can spread through multiple routes, including shared needles, unsafe injections, and improper blood transfusions, making it a risk for people of all ages.
The study, published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity journal. Reveals that HIV prevalence among older adults now surpasses that of younger individuals. Dr. Louiser Olubayo of the Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience notes that most awareness campaigns focus primarily on youth, leaving the older population overlooked. This age group often assumes they’re not at risk, a misconception deeply rooted in societal attitudes.
The study analyzed data from 31 European countries and found that. While HIV rates remained stable among younger adults (15–49 years), they escalated among those over 50. Countries like the UK, Germany, and Ireland reported notable increases in HIV case diagnoses within this older demographic. For instance, in the UK, the rate rose from 3.1 per 100,000 in 2004 to 4.32 per 100,000 in 2015.
A significant concern highlighted by the study is the prevalence of late diagnoses among older adults. Approximately 63% of individuals over 50 were diagnoses at an advanced stage of HIV, compared to 47% across all age groups. Late diagnosis often leads to more severe health complications and a higher risk of mortality.
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